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Medical negligence can lead to bed sores in a range of facilities, from hospitals to rehabilitative care to nursing homes. With the Baby Boomer generation aging, assisted living and other facilities are a major and profitable component of healthcare that will continue to grow in the years ahead. One recent report suggests that the number of elderly in the US will double by the year 2050. When nursing homes and assisted living facilities are concerned, overcrowding, understaffing and a focus on the bottom line can lead to neglect and medical malpractice. The results can range from a diminished quality of life that’s heartbreaking for patients and families to even death in the most serious cases. Bed Sores Caused by Medical Negligence When a patient is ill and bound to their bed or a chair, bed sores are a real and pervasive threat. Yet they’re also entirely preventable. Bed sores are caused by ongoing pressure against delicate skin from furniture, clothing, or bedclothes. The skin of the elderly or ill patients can be particularly sensitive. Patients must be moved or shifted frequently, to prevent bed sores for arising. If this isn't done or sores that develop are not treated, they can become a serious problem. Sore can grow in size, go deep beyond a surface sore, become infected, and cause serious ongoing health complications for patients. Dealing with Bed Sores There is no reason for bed sores to occur. A facility with a properly trained staff should be aware of which patients are potentially at risk for sores and be implementing protocols to prevent them. At risk patients should also be monitored and any sores treated immediately to prevent further issues. When these problems do occur, it can signal a larger system-wide problem at a specific facility that should be evaluated. It’s also important to understand if there have been lingering issues as a result of bed sores, from wide-ranging infections to permanent scarring or disfigurement. Given how preventable the condition is, a problem with bed sores – particularly a recurring case – may be the basis for a medical negligence claim. If several facilities or institutions have provided patient care, it’s important to understand where the problem began and how it’s been treated and addressed throughout the patient care experience. Seeking Legal Advice There are many issues that can contribute to inadequate nursing home or assisted living facility conditions that ultimately lead to bed sores. These include poor staffing, a lack of supplies for treatment, questionable hygiene among staff and patients, and what nursing and monitoring protocols are put in place and enforced. Facility evaluations can help establish details of the claim and determine if you have a case to pursue claims related to treatment costs, pain and suffering compensation, punitive damages, or some combination of these. The facilities that take care of elderly, ill, and recovering patients are required to uphold a certain standard of care. It’s important to note that there may be a specific statute of limitations impacting your case. If you or a loved one have suffered from bed sores as a result of negligence or medical malpractice, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney today to learn more about whether you may have a viable case.
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